Chapter 62
Yes, in a way, this could be considered a fairly decent political match. Objectively speaking, House Valentin was a newly established noble family with no foundation, but with the Crown Prince’s unwavering support and a military strength no one could oppose, there was every possibility it would continue to grow.
And since House Estern was also an ally of the imperial family, if they were to form a connection with House Valentin through marriage…
‘Hah… Might as well try covering the sky with one hand.’
Forcing himself to spin a narrative, he sighed and gave up. No matter how he looked at it, he was a subpar suitor compared to Beatrice Estern. Right now, he was no different than a frog asking a princess to marry him.
But even if he had to admit that much, having come this far, he had to at least try. Even if she thoroughly rejected him, it would just be a matter of enduring a single day—or a few years—of heartache. From her perspective, it would simply be another fool added to the list, one named Caesar.
As he waited nervously for Beatrice, all those tangled thoughts vanished the moment she entered the drawing room. It was a strange experience, like his mind had been wiped clean.
Even though it was early morning, Beatrice was just as flawlessly beautiful as she had been the night before. And once again, she smiled warmly at him.
“How did you know hyacinths are my favorite flower?”
Because of that one sentence, Caesar’s opinion of Dillon skyrocketed. He had no idea how his devoted deputy had figured out her preference, but he was profoundly relieved to have brought this humble bouquet of tiny grape-like flowers today.
Perhaps it was because she truly liked the hyacinths. After receiving Caesar’s bouquet, Beatrice declined all the other suitors. Watching the defeated men slink off with drooping shoulders, Caesar came to a realization.
‘Ah, a man only has value once he is chosen by a woman.’
And he had just been chosen—by Beatrice Estern. Even if that choice only lasted one day, it was a moment that made his entire existence feel justified.
***
That day, after walking through the ducal gardens with Beatrice, Caesar returned to his lodging in a daze.
‘I need to write it. The proposal… no matter what…’
What had started as a simple desire to apologize for his rude behavior the night before had long since evolved.
Never in his life had he spent such a gentle yet stirring time with someone so utterly lovable.
During their walk, Beatrice had been like a fairy made of sugar, sweet to the core.
Every time their eyes met, she smiled. She leaned her head on his shoulder and held his hand without hesitation. Because of her, Caesar’s soul felt like it melted halfway and was reshaped again in her hands, over and over.
He vaguely remembered offering an apology for having refused her dance, but he couldn’t recall what he’d said or how.
What remained etched in his memory was the way Beatrice laughed over even the smallest things, the way his heart thudded each time she did, the warmth of their intertwined hands, and the unbidden, inappropriate thoughts that warmth brought to mind.
It had been such a blissful time, he almost wondered if he’d visited heaven.
By then, even someone as dense as Caesar couldn’t fail to understand Beatrice’s intentions. For some unknown reason, she was seriously considering dating him, possibly even marrying him.
A typical gentleman of the Empire might have taken his time and proposed more cautiously, but Caesar had lived his life never knowing what tomorrow would bring. He didn’t have the luxury of patience.
He was the kind of man who didn’t let chances slip away. If he hesitated and Beatrice changed her mind, it would be a disaster. So, the very next week, he boldly sent a marriage proposal to the Duke of Estern, and three days later, he received a summons.
“We’ve met before, briefly at the New Year’s Ball. So, you wish to marry my daughter?”
Summoned in the dead of night in secret, Caesar was met with the Duke’s openly displeased gaze from the moment the door opened.
“Yes, I do.”
With his hands behind his back like a soldier under inspection, Caesar endured the harsh stare of the man who might soon become his father-in-law.
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